Having clean air that is free of mold and other dangerous toxins is important to your family’s health. One of the best ways to help to ensure that you have clean air circulating throughout your home is to invest in an air purifier.
With so many different types, brands, models, and features that are available in the market it can be difficult to choose the best air purifier. In this article, we will cover the most important things you need to look for so you can choose the best one for you and your home.
Types Of Air Purifiers
There are two main options of air purifiers that are available for home use: whole-home air and portable air purifiers.
Portable air purifier
Usually, a portable air purifier is designed to be clean air inside of one room. The purifier can be moved from room to room. Most of these weigh under 25 pounds so they are easy to transport.
Whole-home air purifier
This type of purifier attaches to your home’s ductwork or furnace. It cleans the air as it is passing through the ducts.
These air purifiers are rarely used and are a specialized appliance that is normally installed when a new furnace is purchased. Therefore, most people will choose to invest in a portable unit.
Size
Make sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications. There should be measurements included that show the volume capacity of the unit.
The air purifier’s working capability is usually given in square footage. Choose a unit with a coverage rating that is higher than the square footage of the room you will be using it in.
Air Filters
It is very important to invest in quality air filters for your air purifier and to recognize that replacing the filters is an ongoing cost that needs to be considered.
Some units have two or three air filters instead of just one and work together. Some air filters will need to be changed more often than others.
Here are types of air filters used by air purifiers:
HEPA filter
This is the main filter in most portable air purifiers. This filter removes the smallest airborne particles. It is very important that this filter is cleaned on a regular basis. Usually, it is recommended to change them every three months at least.
Pre-filter
There are some units that come with a pre-filter for capturing bigger particles, which include dust.
Second pre-filter
There are some units that come with another pre-filter for catching small particles before they get to the HEPA filter.
It is critical to change your air filters according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Dirty filters will wear down your unit and can cause it to fail or seriously malfunction.
Other Features
A model that offers several different speeds so that it can sufficiently handle the amount of air that you need to have purified is one of the most important features to look for. Having a UV light and automatic timer are also nice features to have. Some purifiers are noisier than others. A decibel level is included by many manufacturers are part of the products specifications.
Conclusion
Use the above information to find the best air purifier for your family’s needs. Remember to consider your ongoing costs and invest in quality air filters as well.